Shadows of Deceit Read Free

to the bathroom.”
    He picked up the whisky bottle to examine it and then poured more into the two glasses,
    “Might as well finish this one off.”
    Then he produced another bottle from the drink’s cabinet.
    “I’ll get some food. Bread, cheese and pickles, is that o.k. for you?”
    “Excellent, thanks. I must admit to feeling a bit hungry now.”
    “Help yourself to more drink if you want.”
    Andrew left the room and prepared the food. Harry poured another whisky and scanned a local newspaper without really absorbing anything he read.
    Andrew returned with one plate.
    “You not eating?”
    “No, too much excitement for one evening, I might try some later but you carry on.”
    After the food was consumed they continued talking for about an hour on subjects ranging from the lack of British pre-war rearmament, the raid that was still continuing in the distance and the latest film releases. After a long pause Andrew yawned loudly,
    “I’m sorry Harry but it’s time for my bed I think; it’s been an eventful day. You’ll find towels in the press cupboard in the bathroom. Would you switch the lights off as you go through? - Give me a shout if I’m not awake when you’re ready to go and I’ll help you look for that ring of yours. I’ll see you later.”
    “Yes, OK, and thanks again Andrew.”
    Harry felt utterly at ease as he scanned the room again. This is the kind of place I’d like one day, he thought. There were two settees, one facing the fire and the other at ninety degrees to it. A walnut dining table and six chairs were positioned by one of the windows, together with a matching drinks cabinet and radiogram. An old, highly polished partners’ desk was arranged at an angle by the second window together with various cupboards and side tables with ornate lamps stationed around the walls. The whole effect was completed by a display of mirrors, book cases, pictures and heavy curtaining.
    “One day Harry boy, one day you’ll have a place like this,”
    he thought. He poured another drink and decided to find the box room. As he left he turned all of the room lights out as instructed. He paused and switched them on and off again and smiled.
    “Bloody marvellous!” He whispered to himself.
    Harry went to his room and peered through the curtains. It was now raining heavily and far away he could still see flashes lighting the horizon as bombs and incendiaries continued falling. The white fingers of three, sometimes four, searchlights arched across the distant dark, cloudy sky. After taking off his shirt and trousers he made a comfy nest with the blankets and pillows and downed the last of his drink and settled into a deep spirit induced sleep.
    He didn’t hear the ‘All Clear’ sounding but later in the night he awoke and lay there drifting slowly back into consciousness. He became aware of something, a soft noise in the room. Breathing perhaps, or was it the rain and the wind rattling on the windows? He didn’t move, his mind became more focused as he remembered the events of the evening before and where he was. He turned over abruptly to see a shadow of something - now someone - in front of him.
    “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
    He shouted in the darkness.
    “I’m sorry Harry, it’s me Andrew. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
    Harry turned the table lamp on to see Andrew, naked except for a blanket wrapped around him, sitting on a chair directly in front of him. Andrew tried to shield the light from his eyes,
    “I’m sorry - ” he said rather pathetically,
    “ - I seem to have been caught out.”
    Harry sat up,
    “What are you doing here like this?”
    Andrew began his apologies again, but Harry interrupted him.
    “I get it now. Jesus what a fool I’ve been. I know your story, all these kind invitations to help me out, the drinks, and the food. You’re nothing but a…”
    He stopped, a long pause followed.
    “Say it Harry, go on say it!”
    Harry couldn’t speak, he was